Lydford Castle and Saxon Town

Lydford Castle's roofless tower stands on a mound beside St Petroc's Church, a reminder of the village's importance in administering Dartmoor's tin industry. The surviving thirteenth-century building incorporated an earlier tower and served as a prison for people accused of breaking forest and stannary laws. Look for the blocked windows, changing wall thicknesses and holes that once supported the upper floors. Nearby, a Norman earthwork castle and surviving Saxon town banks reveal earlier layers of defence. Visitors appreciate being able to look into the tower and read the information boards without committing to a lengthy visit. The three areas have separate entrances, so follow the official directions to find the earthworks behind the church and the banks beside the village street. Dogs are welcome on leads, with sheep sometimes grazing the earthworks.